Dear Parents
Well, what a start to 2010 we have had! I am pleased to inform you that your children have settled back in to the routine of school life despite the weather disruption!
Teaching and Learning
The Curriculum
As I mentioned in the Autumn Newsletter, our approach to learning has changed a little in the junior classes this year to come in line with the revised Curriculum in Wales 2008. This has allowed for greater opportunities for children to play a leading role in their own learning and I must say they have taken to it like ducks to water. I can only praise every child for approaching this method with admirable enthusiasm (even to the point of nagging me to do more!). Also, the freedom that our homework (independent research) tasks allow, has resulted in mesmerising displays of confidence from the children. To stand in front of the class and ‘teach’ others – including myself – about a topic they have found interesting is a skill that will see them comfortably into comprehensive school and beyond. Every child has the opportunity to present their homework to the class every week, and no child has ever been too afraid to do so – a credit to the trust they have drawn up with each other!
This term our topics are SWANSEA and the HUMAN BODY. The children have relished the opportunity to study these further and with the added freedom of the revised curriculum have set many of their own questions.
E.g ‘How many people live in Swansea?’
‘How many rivers are there in Swansea?’
Language, literacy and communication
The fundamentals to all language work, is about developing the individual’s ability to speak, listen, read and write in a range of contexts. Throughout the term the children will be encouraged to develop these essential skills in communication. Whilst the obvious processes of reading, spelling and handwriting will be taught the children will be learning many of these through studying traditional and alternative stories, Poetry and non-fiction text.
Mathematical development
Our mathematics has got off to a great start! Thanks for those of you that attended our Maths Day – and for those who couldn’t make it – I can assure you that your child put on a fantastic demonstration and enjoyed show-casing their learning. We are still focusing on place value – knowing our Thousands, Hundred, Tens and units. The children love this so much they refer to it as MEGA MATHS – just ask them! They are also continuing to develop their calculation skills using the four operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, along with beginning to understand working with fractions.
P.E.
As was the case last term our P.E. sessions are on Wednesdays and Thursdays. As we are not swimming this term your child will need to bring a P.E. kit (shorts, or tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt/sweater,trainers) on both these days. The children will be participating in Gymnastics and Games during these sessions.
Cymraeg
The children are really enjoying their daily welsh activities which include singing welsh songs, reading welsh books along with role play and recording in welsh.
Outdoor learning
This term we will again be learning outdoors at least once a week. This might take place on the school grounds or in the woods behind the school. Please can the children bring to school old warm clothing in addition to wellies, or old footwear, and a coat on THURSDAYS. If it is more convenient for you - your child can leave a bag of outdoor clothing in the class room all week, or come to school on Thursdays dressed in their outdoor clothing with their uniform in their bags.
May I take this opportunity to thank you again for the support you have already shown so far this year and if you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me. I am sure you will agree that there is no better basis to securing your child’s learning than maintaining a secure link between the child – the parent – and the teacher.
Many thanks
Mrs Johnson
Year 3/4 teacher
Reminders
School meals - £1.90 a day (£9.50 a week) payable on Monday morning
Fruit – 20p a day